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City adds its support to annual dragon boat club spectacle

By special proclamation, the City of Kelowna has given its support to the upcoming Dragon Boat Festival put on by the Kelowna Dragon Boat Club.

The Kelowna Dragon Boat Club, which is in its 12th season, began the annual July festival five years ago as a one-day women’s only race as a vehicle for some fun and mid-season activity for the women’s teams.

The festival further expanded to include junior and masters teams two years ago.

“Due to demand from our club members, and those from visiting teams, we decided last year to include mixed teams of all ages,” said KDBC president Deb Champion.

“I’m also thrilled to report that due to the popularity of our festival, we’ve had to expand it to two days for the first time this year.”

The festival will be opened by the traditional dragon dance, performed by the members.

Also included will be a beer garden, Taiko drummers and several other cultural activities.

“Dragon boating is a fantastic spectator sport,” remarks Champion. “The races are short, two to three minutes, and exciting. We urge the public to come on down and see what we are all about.”

Dragon boating is an ancient Chinese sport spanning 2,000 years.

It consists of 20 paddlers, a drummer and a steerer, often referred to as “22 hearts beating as one.”

The Kelowna Dragon Boat Festival runs on Saturday, July 9, and Sunday, July 10, at Waterfront Park. For more information about the club or the festival, see www.kelownadragonboatclub.com or call 250-491-1961.

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